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The Old Byres

Guest Rating
Rating
4.9
out of 5
Devon » Washford Near Watchet
Sleeps up to 16
Pets 1
Hot Tub
Bedrooms: 8
Situated in the charming village of Washford in West Somerset is this lovely cottage, boasting a spacious interior and offering fabulous accommodation for a southern getaway. The Old Byres provides the perfect spot to host a family celebration or special occasion with all the family surrounded by style and luxury. Combining character features with modern décor, as well as underfloor heating and two woodburning stoves, this wonderful cottage feels welcoming and special. The hub of the home is no doubt the large kitchen/diner with a handmade refectory table positioned close to the patio doors so that everyone can spill out onto the lawn for alfresco breakfasts and summery evening barbecues.
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About The Old Byres

Situated in the charming village of Washford in West Somerset is this lovely cottage, boasting a spacious interior and offering fabulous accommodation for a southern getaway. The Old Byres provides the perfect spot to host a family celebration or special occasion with all the family surrounded by style and luxury.

Combining character features with modern décor, as well as underfloor heating and two woodburning stoves, this wonderful cottage feels welcoming and special. The hub of the home is no doubt the large kitchen/diner with a handmade refectory table positioned close to the patio doors so that everyone can spill out onto the lawn for alfresco breakfasts and summery evening barbecues.

On cooler evenings, retreat back into this hub where a woodburning stove and sofas provide a snug spot for relaxing in front of the chef as they whip up some delicious food for all. The delightful sitting room has a high vaulted ceiling with plenty of exposed oak beams, with a collection of deep sofas and a woodburning stove resting beneath them, creating the best place to toast your toes after a day of walking in the countryside.

Relax together here for a film night, or for a quieter moment there is a piano for the musical member of the family to entertain you. The cottage boasts a mixture of ground-floor and first-floor bedrooms, most with en-suite bathroom, and some even enjoying private TVs, and with a combination of bed sizes that ensure the whole family has a superb sleeping spot.

The master bedroom hosts a marvellous super-king-size bed with an en-suite bathroom, with the added feature of an ethanol fire built between the bedroom and bathroom for a romantic and luxury touch. To keep the whole family amused between meals and outings, there is a warm games room which has an electric stove-effect fire and sofas, perfect for the spectators of the pool game to perch on.

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Need To Know

Cottages Near The Old Byres

0 Miles
Sleeps 12
Pets 1
Hot Tub
Bedrooms: 6
A fabulous detached thatched cottage in rural location close to Exmoor and the pretty port of Watchet. Large garden and ample walks from the doorstep. Washford 1.0 miles.
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0 Miles
Sleeps 4
Pets 1
Hot Tub
Bedrooms: 2
A fabulous stylish luxury barn conversion with hot tub, wooden veranda and orchard garden. Excellent location for exploring Exmoor and the North Somerset coastal villages.
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0 Miles
Sleeps 4
Pets 1
Hot Tub
Bedrooms: 2
Ash Lodge is a charming, detached barn conversion resting on the ground floor with a barbecue and hot tub, in the rural village of Washford, Somerset. Watchet 2.2 miles; Minehead 7.7 miles.
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0 Miles
Sleeps 4
Pets 1
Hot Tub
Bedrooms: 2
Hazel Lodge is a welcoming detached barn conversion resting on the ground floor with a barbecue and hot tub, in the rural village of Washford, Somerset. Watchet 2.2 miles; Minehead 7.7 miles.
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0 Miles
Sleeps 4
Pets 1
Hot Tub
Bedrooms: 2
A touch of luxury at this modern holiday lodge near Washford, North Somerset coast. Open plan living room with beams, private hot tub, plenty of parking.
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0 Miles
Sleeps 9
Pets 1
Hot Tub
Bedrooms: 4
High-quality cottage with four en-suite bedrooms, woodburning stove, games room and hot tub. Beaches close by. Watchet 2 miles.
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0 Miles
Sleeps 2
Pets 1
Hot Tub
Bedrooms: 1
This delightful, detached lodge is situated in Washford, Somerset. Open-plan living. Romantic. Hot tub. Watchet 2 miles; Minehead 6 miles.
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0 Miles
Sleeps 4
Pets 1
Hot Tub
Bedrooms: 2
An elegant retreat resting on the outskirts of the village of Williton. Ground-floor accommodation. Woodburner. WiFi. Hot tub. Watchet 2.2 miles.
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0 Miles
Sleeps 4
Pets 1
Hot Tub
Bedrooms: 2
A lodge-style retreat set on the outskirts of the village of Williton. Hot tub. Woodburner. WiFi. Watchet 2.2 miles.
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0 Miles
Sleeps 2
Pets 1
Hot Tub
Bedrooms: 1
An idyllic stone annexe set in the village of Washford, Somerset. Ideal for couples. Fantastic countryside views. Hot tub. Watchet 2.4 miles; Minehead 6.9 miles; Wiveliscombe 10.8 miles.
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The Old Byres Reviews

Roland
Excellent house for family gatherings,loads of space very clean great facilities. Highly recommend
We all had a great holiday in this amazing house. When we booked The Old Byres for our family holiday our expectations was high for us all be together and make life long memories the house has so much to offer in this high standard accommodation i would highly recommend and have no hesitation to book again. Only have one issue, as the weather was not perfect the pool for the children was not hot warm enough, having said that what brilliant holiday.
Dominic
A perfect house to celebrate my 70th birthday together with my family of all generations. The extensive entertainment facilities offered something for all to enjoy we didnt really need to go out in the evening, everyone had fun in the house We would certainly consider returning
Jennifer
We all enjoyed the holiday in Old Byers, I have booked to take the family again next year. Obviously a big effort is used to make sure all the facilities at the property are in good condition.
Angela
This property is perfect for family group holiday. Comfortable and plenty of room for everyone, especially when raining. Kitchen is the hub of the holiday. The chef is not cut off from rest of party.
Alison
An excellent holiday cottage, great for our family holiday. Listing does not do The Old Byres justice! There was a lot more space both inside and out than we expected but the pool was smaller than it looks in the photos. Our 5 young children loved the enclosed garden with the Wendy house and we all enjoyed the large field at the back of the house. The house was very well equipped for 16 with plenty of space for everyone and their multiple activities. We would certainly recommend this holiday property but be aware it is not easy to walk from as it is on a busy main road with no pavement.
Catherine
Wonderful property. Spacious, extremely clean, and ideal for a large family of varying ages to enjoy. Plenty of toys and games for the youngsters including a charming playhouse in the garden. Pool table, hot tub, table tennis and swimming pool for all to enjoy. All contents and fittings of the barn of very high quality. Our family of 13 thoroughly enjoyed our stay and hope to return again and stay a little longer.
The booking of Old Byres was for a special family celebration and the venue proved ideal a friendly and helpful owner, great facilities and close to pleasant walks, a great pub and lovely beaches. Thank you.
Fantastic house for a lot of guests plenty of room and equipment absolute god send having 2 dishwashers everyone had a fantastic time. Cooking Christmas dinner for 11 people was a breeze. Communication with the owner was excellent having had a Airbnb ourselves we new how much you have to do to get the good reviews everything was spick and span The 5 star review is well deserved . The only thing is the pub in walking distant is closed and the next closest was too dangerous to walk in the evening but plenty of us to drive and was a good pub Many Thanks for such an enjoyable stay
A fabulous property,spacious,warm and perfectly equipped for a large party of people ie16. .Amenities,sauna,hot tub,pool table kept the family entertained despite the inclimate weather,the best property we have ever stayed in
Our stay was great, but the house needs some TLC. Lots of light bulbs out, mattress seen better days, can opener not working, dining chairs had legs broken, and are actually dangerous, sofa had no support and the wifi is really terrible. Not all doors had keys that we could find. We were also shocked to find the building of at least 5 houses next door, that meant we had a week of builders on roofs looking into the garden and music and the beeping of machines going from 8am! We felt that this really should be disclosed before booking. We did have to ask someone to come out due to the hot tub smelling after the first day, and the next day it was dealt with. The swimming pool really does need a good clean at the bottom but no one does clean it unfortunately. We did ask for more bin bags but they never did get delivered. We saw that the house is up for sale and felt perhaps this was why lots of things werent up to a high standard. All this said we had a great time and had plenty of space, the rooms are all a great size. The use of the field next to the house was amazing for us to walk our dog.
A wonderfully spacious house even for 15 adults, 3 toddlersbabies and 2 dogs. Plenty to do especially as the kind owner kept the pool open beyond its normal operating time. The kitchendiningsnug room opening onto the table tennisWendy houselawn area provided most of the social interaction time for our party and the huge field beyond the pool was perfect for exercising the dogs. I can't recommend the place enough.
Barbara
The service was great when the smoke alarm decided to play up. We loved the house. A couple of very small things Some of mattresses are beginning to feel a little lumpy. Couldnt find a butter dish. Welcome pack was much appreciated particularly the milk in the fridge. Would happily return again.
We very much enjoyed our stay. The property was all we had hoped for and the location is excellent with the heritage railway just a short walk away and Tropiquaria just a short drive away, to mention just two attractions. I have given 'facilities and maintenance' a notch lower than the other ratings because the recycling bins were mostly full when we arrived so within a day or so they were full...but I accept this is beyond the direct control of the Old Byres team. They were always on hand via WhatsApp and communication was good. Overall and excellent holiday!
Michelle
This was our second visit to the old Byres and like our first stay the holiday was superb. The house is extremely well laid out for a large family gathering and has so many things to do and such useable space, the pool was a lovely temperature which with the lack of sunshine was much appreciated The adjacent field was great with the dogs and the children, all in all an exceptional house, we had a wonderful time.
Angela
The perfect house for family holidays. Plenty of things to do. Not all on top of each other.
Everything was excellent and great fun opening the drawers and cupboards to find things especially in the kitchen. There was considerable traffic noise and as the weather was rather hot , we had to have the windows open. However this was mentioned in the description info. The pool was very popular with our family, but I would have liked a grab rail as I am unable to manage steps safely. Unfortunately the builders next door did cause some noise but not enough to spoil our perfect week.
Caroline
We had a fantastic week here beginning of June, can not fault the property at ... We had a fantastic week here beginning of June, can not fault the property at all everything you wanted was there for you
We had a great family weekend at The Old Byres celebrating a 30th birthday. We were so lucky with the weather and made good use of the pool and hot tub. We didnt get to use the sauna as we were all too warm! The size of the property was perfect for us with 10 adults and 6 children and 2 dogs. It's extremely spacious and having access to the field at the back of the property was great for us to exercise the dogs and have a game of rounders. The toddlers loved the Wendy house in the garden and the little wooden dolls house and puzzles in the snug area. We also enjoyed a few games of table tennis too. This property has something for everyone and we would definitely go back again.
Nicola
It is a fabulous property and was perfect for our group. The garden was really well designed.
Rebecca
This is a great house for large parties we had a lovely time visiting
Alexia
Due to a missed family Christmas we decided to try & all get together in one big property for a long weekend in February. Old Byers was recommended by one family member who had stayed before so that took away the worry of it not living up to the website impression. Sixteen of us stayed, very comfortably. Every room was clean, bright & comfortable. All white bed linen & towels & neutral decor make it aesthetically pleasing. There isnt any clutter but it still feels homely. There are plenty of areas to relax & so no one felt on top of each other. The hot tub was a massive bonus I imagine the pool must be fabulous in the summer and little extras like two separate garden areas were great as we took 3 dogs with us. The teenage girls discovered a games console and played a favourite dancing game for hours Whilst the boys loved the pool table. The kitchen is massive which means lots of people could help with meal prep & it wasnt all just left to muggins. Two ovens & two dishwashers made life so much easier. The property is on a main road but once inside youd never know. Our bedroom was upstairs & we heard no traffic noise. The location is perfect. 15 minutes away from the South Coast Path at Minehead, fabulous walks in Exmoor, beautiful Dunster castle & wonderful villages pubs like the Royal Oak at Luxborough. I would definitely like to return to Old Byers our stay was straightforward, hassle free & exceeded our expectations.
Joanne
Amazing cottage great location
Michelle
The property is fabulous. The accommodation lends itself really well to a large group but allows separation for a bit of down time to. The kitchen is really well appointed and there is plenty of equipment . There are lots of things available in the property from the lovely large lounge with a great film watching tv, games room, hot tub and the outside space was excellent for the dogs , we didnt go in the pool too chilly in December! It took about fifteen minutes to get to the beach for walking the dogs who loved every minute. We used two of the restaurants mentioned in The Old Byres details both of which were excellent. We visited the White Horse pub which is within walking distance which was excellent and also enjoyed an Indian from the Spice Merchant which the restaurant was happy to deliver. We loved every minute of our stay and are definitely going back.
Jeremy
We stayed here over Christmas with our large family ranging in ages from 3yrs to 86, plus dogs. We had a fabulous time. The house was decorated with lovely trees and decorations which was very unexpected and so appreciated. We made full use of the hot tub and pool table. The house surpassed our expectations. It was well equipped and super clean. We visited several local pubs for meals. Great fish and chips 2 mins away. Great Indian takeaway delivery. All mentioned in the welcome book at the house. Definitely recommend a stay here! I imagine the pool in Summer would be perfect.
Chantelle
A beautiful cottage. The owner was very helpful and was contactable if we needed anything .The cottage had everything you needed very clean and comfortable, highly recommended, and will definitely be rebooking for our next family gettogether
A couple of minor points were raised with the owners and were dealt with expeditiously. Generally we had a very good and comfortable time there.
Claire
The house is stunning! Even with 15 of us we had a ton of space. Every amenity you could think of but yet so full of characture. Beautiful part of the world as well with lots to do.
The Old Byres is a fantastic place for a complete relaxing holiday. It is full of things to do there was 12 of us and a dog. It was a family get together my daughter and son and there family. There was so.much to do and not once was there anygthing we needed. Sarah the owner was so welcoming and so was all the modern facilities.
Perfect in every way. Only one small negative for us is the lack of a pavement from the property on a very busy road. Makes walking with children and dogs difficult.
Antonya
The Old Byres is an utterly superb property! It is thoroughly well appointed, has several facilities that enhance a holiday even if the weather is not favourable. We made good use of the pool and ping pong tables. We loved the rustic feel to the ambience and the many appliances to make catering and cleaning dishes very easy. The pool was rather smaller than the photos implied but the hot tub was a wonderful extra. The ONLY downside is the proximity to a very busy, noisy main road.
Angela
The house is perfect for big family holidays. The kitchen has plenty of crockery, glasses, with 2 dishwashers and big fridge and freezer to make it easy. Washing machine good if you have young children. Swimming pool is brilliant for whole family, plus table tennis and Poole table. What else could you want.
Stuart
On arrival to the Old Byres we found the property ready for a fantastic holiday. The property was was everything we expected and more and really made our family holiday. Our family ranged from 8 months to 70 , the kitchen dining area especially was so family orientated, we spent a lot of our time in there we'll when not in the lovely heated pool. We found the extra small kitchen very beneficial when cooking for our large family. Overall the property, its surrounding and the very friendly owner couldn't be more welcoming when we met her as she was checking the hot tub and pool, and we would certainly recommend to any families thinking of holidaying here to go for it. We're so glad we did!!!
Absolutely top marks. The very best 'cottage' I have rented. It is without doubt the most comfortable, relaxing, clean, accommodating and jampacked with all modcons property that I have had the privilege to stay. A weeks' stay was not long enough and my party there was 14 of us could not have enjoyed the week any more we were spoilt. I cannot think of any one aspect of the accommodation that I would of changed. I will be returning. Thank you.
Stuart
The cottage was excellent and ideal for a large familyfriends get together. The weather was very good and meant the pool area was well used and enjoyed. The standard of accommodation was as advertised and everyone enjoyed the luxury. Its a tough journey on a Friday from several parts of the country but worth suffering the M25, M4 and M5 for. Stuart
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. It had everything you could have wanted and more. Everyone enjoyed their stay. The hilights were the swimming pool and jacuzzi. You thought of everything from pool room to unity room, and en suite. A perfect location and enough parking .
Geraldine
Perfect holiday! We love Old Byres. My fianc proposed to me on our stay. A very memorable week.
Caroline
The house was amazing, and was absolutely perfect for my belated Hen do. The kitchen was very well equipped, and there were plenty of areas inside and out to sit and chill. It was so sunny on the Saturday that we felt like we were abroad sat by the pool. 14 ladies had a brilliant time! Would definitely go back to the house again in the future.
The Old Byres was a wonderful place for a three generations family get together plus three dogs. Sarah has thought of everything to keep everyone happy. We had waited a long time for this holiday to come to fruition, booked pre COVID, but it was well worth the wait. The cleanliness was excellent and the kitchen was very well equipped for even a foodie family. Thank you Sarah for going above and beyond. We hope to be back.
Anthony
This property is amazing and perfect for a large family gathering. Although the pictures make it look good, the reality is even better. Everything is spotless and the property is extremely well equipped. The facilities are fantastic for a family of all ages so that you can happily spend all day at the property if the weather is not so good, and its so spacious that everyone can spread out.This is without doubt the best property we have ever booked.
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Attractions Near The Old Byres

While there'll be plenty to keep you entertained an The Old Byres itself, if you plan to get out and about and see some of what Devon has to offer, here are some of the nearby attractions you can enjoy during your stay. Please note that some of these activities and days out are paid and it's always a good idea to book in advance to secure your place where applicable.

Found a special day out near your cottage? Please let us know and we'll add it so that other visitors can enjoy it too!
The Walled Gardens of Cannington - TA5 2HA
about 12 Miles
The Walled Gardens of Cannington offer a range of attraction for adults and children alike. The grown ups will love to wander around the beautiful gardens taking in the stunning floral displays while the children will enjoy the garden games, nature trails and open space to run around. The site also has a picnic area and exhibitions and workshops can be enjoyed at peek times of the year.
Brean Leisure Park - TA8 2QY
about 17 Miles
Brean Leisure Park in Somerset is the place to head for family fun. The site has over 130 rides and attractions with something for all ages and abilities. Adults and children alike will love the more traditional fairground rides which include waltzes, roller coasters and of course dodgems! Older kids and teenagers on the hunt for white knuckle attractions can try out the terrifying 'XTreme' ride - 130ft of exciting twists turns and drops. For younger children the Canoe River is one of the most popular rides and the whole family can team up to enjoy the Laser Quest. Other facilities at the park include a Snack Bar serving tasty food to go, a Restaurant for a relaxing sit down dinner and an Amusement Arcade with slot machines and video games.
Seaquarium - LL30 1BL
about 20 Miles
The very unique Seaquarium in Western Super Mare is a fantastic site based on a beach surrounded by 3 miles of sand offering an educational and fun experience for the whole family. The site is packed with marine life from all over the world and has an amazing Underwater tunnel where visitors can view Sharks and Sting Rays There are also several open top displays  allowing closer inspection of the elegant Rays as well as other creatures. Special events take place throughout the year in high season including talks and crafting sessions.
Court Farm Country Park - BS27 3QW
about 24 Miles
The award wining Court Farm Country Park is the ideal all weather attraction with over 25000sq ft of playgrounds and attractions which are all undercover. Come rain or shine this place is perfect for families and children can really let of steam while adults have some time to relax. The site has several large and safe areas for fun and games, a stunning Adventure Castle with slides and ball pools and a range of small fairground rides. There are also educational shows to see including Milking Show and the twice daily Bottle Feeding Show.
Exmoor Zoo - EX31 4SG
about 24 Miles
Exmoor Zoo is described as a "family zoo" on their website and it certainly makes a great day out for families.  There are many exotic and rare animals as well as birds to see which are living in natural surroundings.  Some recent improvements at the zoo include a new 5 metre tower at the cheetahs and raised walkways at the "beast".  There is also a new viewing platform over the sitatunga.  As well as the amazing animals to experience there are regular fun activities such as face painting, daily events and zoo trails.
Mendip Outdoor Pursuits - BS40 7UF
about 26 Miles
Mendip Outdoor Pursuits is the perfect place for an action packed day of fun and is recommended for families with children aged 8 and over. The fantastic setting could hardly be better far activities such as Abseiling, Archery, Climbing, Caverning and Canoeing. The site also has a fantastic assault course. Family friendly activities include Raft Building and Nature Walks and environmental bush craft sessions.
North Devon Farm Park - EX32 7ET
about 28 Miles
North Devon Farm Park is a haven for wildlife and has a fantastic location making it the perfect place for a day out during the summertime. As well as gorgeous scenery, picnic areas and plenty of space for children to play the park offers a Play Area, Tea Room serving local produce, a Petting Zoo where little ones will love meeting the affectionate animals and Nature tTails. There is also a Play Area.
Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park - EX34 0NG
about 28 Miles
Combe Martin Wildlife and Dinosaur Park  is a big hit with families and has a wonderful setting within 26 acres of Sub Tropical grounds. During a stroll around the site you will encounter so of the worlds most endangered animals and also take a peek back to prehistoric times when Dinosaurs roamed the earth. The park is home to the worlds only full size animatronic Tyrannosaurus Rex as well as Lions, Wolves, Sea Lions, Meerkats and many other species, Top attractions include the amazing Sea Lion Shows, Falconry Display and Sea Lion Swims.